Monday, May 18, 2009

And the Celebration Begins....

THE BIRTHDAY BOY.....WE CELEBRATE YOU EVERYDAY!! I had planned to update earlier from Disney, but fun with two of my favorite boys kept me VERY busy and a TAD tired......plus an internet connection that only allowed me to post late at night while baby Jack slept at my feet and the light was not his friend. So I will break up the trip into several days, so I don't bore you. If you don't love trip reports or grandparents that indulge their little ones, you might just want to skip these posts. After a very smooth flight, we arrived in Orlando and the Magical Express was waiting on us. This was the quickest check-in we have every had and we were arriving at Animal Kingdom Lodge before noon.
This was what Parker found in our room when we arrived....(Animal Kingdom Lodge went above and beyond our expectations in treating Parker like a celebrity. The hat had a "Happy Birthday Parker" button on it and I cannot tell you how many times someone told him "Happy Birthday" throughout the week...We have stayed at many resorts at Disney World throughout the years and I cannot say enough about Animal Kingdom Lodge. They sent Parker a different gift to the room EVERYDAY! I was impressed. We were upgraded to the concierge floor. What a TREAT. They really rolled out the red carpet. We were personally taken to our room on the zebra hall. Stepping onto our balcony we saw animals everywhere. Baby Jack was in awe of the giraffe's, zebra's, and animals I had never heard of. He promptly dropped his pacifier and my compact over the balcony. We hoped we would not hear that a giraffe had choked on a pacifier.
They gave us a guide to all the different kinds of animals, which was an education in itself. (on a side note,I have no idea why these weird dates are on my pictures and I cannot seem to get them off)....We then headed to Animal Kingdom just in time to catch "Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade".

Jack is just not sure what is going on. His little brain is on overload...but he loves the attention.

He now has a new friend and cannot take his eyes off him...even for Grammy to snap a picture. On to The Festival of The Lion King and Parker was chosen to be in it....He loves it...and it is one of my favorite productions in all of Disney World. We had so much fun watching Amanda and Parker have some great one on one time...It all began ten years ago when a beautiful high school senior gave birth to a little angel and today they are "best friends"! God is good.
After Animal Kingdom closed we headed back to the Lodge and had dinner at Boma's. Not sure Indian food is our favorite, but it was an experience. We called it a night after dinner and went back to our room to watch the animals with our night vision glasses.



And the celebration continues. The next morning we let the boys swim in the pool at the lodge (Jack loved the water) and then off to the Magic Kingdom for Parker and Jack to both get haircuts on Main Street. Jack was so cute. Not totally sure he wanted a haircut....but so cute with his "Big Boy" cut.










ADORABLE JACK WITH A BIG BOY HAIRCUT
- PICTURES FROM MAGIC KINGDOM
STAY TUNED FOR MORE FUN AND MAGIC AT DISNEY!!

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love your pictures and I ADORE grandparents that endulge children ~ I thought that comment was hilarious:) What a great review and beautiful memories that you have shared together! Your love for your entire family is so evident in your writing and I know that your devotion to them is a complete blessing in their lives.

This is from Tammy, I need to set up my account to comment:)

My camera never says the right date, it is so frustrating to me!

Please share MORE:)

Sheryl said...

Teresa, I checked in on you last night!! Fun to see this here today. I admire your daughter so much and I admire you & your husband for being the support she needed 10 years ago.

How fun to celebrate all of this together! How cool Parker got the royal treatment.

Bacardi Mama said...

I am so jealous. You just lived my dream of the whole family on a trip to Disney together. There are 12 of us now, so it may not happen, but I keep hoping maybe some day. Love the pictures. It looks like a great time was had by all. I can't wait to see more.

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Well, Missy.... I just want to know one thing...IS THERE SUCH A THING AS OVER INDUDGLING THE GRANDS? If so I haven't found it yet...lol...I just love to see a Grandparent loving their Grands, that's what God gave them to us for.
What a great time y'all are having, it is fun for you, but it is special memories they will remember for years to come.
Look forward to more post about your fun trip.

Faye said...

Oh Teresa,Looks like you all had a wounderful time.There is nothing like thoes grandchildren!Please keep me in your prayers.I go back to the doctor tomorrow, Have a great day! Blessings, Faye

WDWTravels said...

OH Teresa,
I love your LOVE for Disney! You are a Wonderful client and great friend. I have never met any of you but feel as though I know each person of your family personally.
I am so glad that it was a fantastic vacation! Now when is the next one???LOL
How is Dana feeling? Hope everthing is smooth sailing and can't wait to hear about that baby grandchild and their trips to WDW of course.
Thanks for the card - I love it!

ºoº
~ Angie~

Unknown said...

oh how fun! those are fabulous pictures of your beautiful family. i can remember how much i LOVED going to disney world as a kid, and those special memories have always been on my heart. so glad you had a wonderful time!

Brown Four...Never a Dull Moment said...

Looks like you all had an awesome trip...your grandkids are adorable! Sounds like he had the best birthday ever! We just love Disney World and can't wait to take our kiddos again!

Gram said...

Glad you had such a wonderful time.

Great-Granny Grandma said...

That sounds like a birthday he will never forget. What wonderful memories must have been created.

ShEiLa said...

Looks like your had a fun trip and a very special celebration.

So many memories have been created with the help of Disney.

ToOdLeS.

The Retired One said...

This brings me back to when we took our kids to Disneyworld..we were so exhausted (ALL of us) but had the time of our lives.
P.S. If you read your camera's manual, there is a way to click off or change those dates and get them off. Usually, it is really simple.

Bridget said...

I want to be a grandma like you when I grow up:)

Leigh Anne said...

I've been looking for you!!
Looks like an absolutely wonderful time!! My son-n-law's mom's maiden name is Parker and if we are blessed someday with a grandson, his name will be Parker.

monica said...

Love grandparents that are involved in granchildren's lives. Looks like a great trip!

Lolli (aka Lisa) said...

Absolutely precious! I SO want to take my granddaughters back to magic Kingdom when I can afford it! You are special grandparents to do that for them!

Blessings to you all,

Lisa

Brian and Kelly said...

Oh how fun! We went to Disneyland in February and when our youngest gets a little older, we want to go to Disneyworld! I think it's so great that you are so involved with your grandchildren. Grandparents are such an important part of a childs life and I think growing up close to your grandparents is such an awesome thing! Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier!

Kelly

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

Very cute photos! Thanks for sharing with us...

Abby said...

Hi Teresa!
So great to meet you! You sure have a beautiful family...adorable grandkids! What fun to be sharing times together at Disney! Those memories will last a lifetime!

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Looks like you all had a blast and such handsome grandbabies!!
Hugs~Kelly

Morgan Owens said...

Cute pics, keep em' coming!! :)

Grandma Cyndi said...

Such fun and lasting memories, a birthday he will never forget. Thanks for sharing with us.

grammy said...

Now I really want to go there. How cool is that. Pictures are all so cute. Funny about dropping a pacifier over the balcony.

Unknown said...

Wow What a trip! I know Parker will never forget all that fun and attention. So glad y'all were pleased with the accomodations! We live in Tampa, which means we always just drive back and forth and never stay in any of the wonderful hotels there. One day, we should just to splurge and enjoy.

Mikki said...

Looks like your having a great time! Hope your not getting to soggy wet!!

wife.mom.nurse said...

What wonderful pix!

I am so glad you enjoyed yourselves ")

sister sheri said...

Looks like so much fun! I agree... Disney goes over the top for birthdays! I love it! We celebrated Christopher's 5th birthday there. Hope you get some rest!

Ruby said...

You have a great blog! Thanks for visiting mine - I am just returning the call. It is a wonderful testimony, your long years of marriage and this beautiful family. May God bless you.
Ruby

Anonymous said...

It all looks / sounds like a perfect vacation. How fun!

A day at the Cappuccino Café said...

Teresa,
Thanks for the wonderful comment on my blog =) I have enjoyed reading yours, all the family photo's are beautiful! What a great Grammy you are!!

chloe's clan said...

I bounced into your blog through a MckMama reader. I have been "planning" a trip to Disney World for about 9 to 12 months now. i think of it often and have looked into cost several times. We aren't ready to go just yet as I am about to have a baby boy - due in 19 days - so travel is out anyway. :) If you have time you can check out my blog too. It's so fun to meet new people!

a portland granny said...

Thaks for stopping by my blog today. It sounds like you had a wonderful time.....and with such cute little companions!!

Four years ago we took out families on a Disney Cruise--my sister, her husband and I. There were 19 of us and we had an absolute blast!! Our grandies still talk about it! Wondeful time, wonderful memories.....and Oh!! the scrapbooks we were able to make!

I hope you stop by again and look at many of my posts that are much more interesting than the one you visited! I've written about many interesting and wonderful people who are part of my family and extended family.

Thanks again. Love to find new grandmas online!!

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Wow! What an awesome time.....you've made memories with your family that no one will ever forget. Aren't grandkids just the best thing ever? I adore mine too, he's such a blessing.

Your scripture verse in your header is my very favorite. I have it engraved on a necklace....it's a long story, but it's one of my favorite things.

Blessings and smiles,
Spencer

PS....thanks for coming for a visit.

:-)

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your grandkids are adorable!

Hayley said...

love your pics! cant wait to see more!

Susie said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your sweet comments. I enjoyed reading some of your posts. Disney certainly knows how to make children feel special. I look forward to hearing more about the trip.

Tanya said...

Wow, that looks like so much fun, I can't wait to take my kids!

TAMI said...

Thanks for stopping by an LEAVING a COMMENT! Looks like your family had a WONDERFUL vacation celebration!

Jersey Girl in Louisiana said...

what a nice blog! makes me miss living close to my parents so they could see my son more often. and you are from louisiana too! obviously im a "transplant" in the new orleans area. we evacuated to your area during gustav!

thanks for you comment on my blog about my son's hair. i think i may do it after work today!

lori said...

Great pictures. I have always wanted to do the disney barber shop. I was at disney on the 11th of may with a group of friends..

See ya again soon

Shauna said...

CUTE pictures :)

LisaShaw said...

Thanks for stopping by one of my blogs.

Looks like everyone is having a great time. Disney is a great place! I live 15 minutes away...

Blessings and peace!

Penny said...

Wish I could do that with my grandkids! Looks like you had a blast! I took my girls 5 years ago, but with six grands already and three daughters still to have kids, it doesn't look like I'll ever make the trip with all of them. =( Oh, well, their parents will have to save up and take them. Maybe I'll just tag along with one. lol
These memories you are making with them are priceless. I remember all the special times I had with my Mimi and Nannie and treasure all of them.

Melinda said...

Awww...the magic! Can't wait to hear more!

The man and I are planning a couple of days there, just before the house is packed up. It'll be our last trip for a while...no more spur of the moment evenings at EPCOT, but being back home is worth that little sacrifice! :o)

Hugs,
Melinda

Jennsmere said...

Stopped by to catch up with you....Wow! looks like you are having a wonderful time...how about a picture of Parker with his Grammy!?!

I scrolled down to read about Micah...I'm still sniffling and have tears in my eyes! God is soooo goooood! We have a 'Parker' in our family, and God sent him the perfect Dad too!

Have more fun than you are allowed!!!
Susan

LyndsAU said...

Disney World looks like so much fun :) I am glad yall had a great time!
He is just adorable!!!

Melissa said...

Your grandbabies are adorable. What a beautiful family you have!!! I love Disney and cannot wait to take my children. I know that Nana cannot wait either. Keep the Disney posts coming. I love pics from DW!!!

Stephanie @ My Answered Prayer said...

How much fun is that....I'm getting so excited about our trip!

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Looks like so much fun!!! You are such a sweet Grandma...I have never taken my boys to Disney, but hope to go sometime soon. Maybe we'll have to try the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
=)

Justabeachkat said...

Looks like fun times for everyone. What memories you are making.

Hugs!
Kat

Unknown said...

As a Disney freak myself, I am LOVING reading your Disney details! Please keep them coming. Glad you had such a great time. When were you there in October? We're going on the 8th for 10 days and I'm curious about the weather. We usually go in May. Keep the stories coming!
:)

Joy said...

Love that big boy haircut.
What a cool surprise to have those things waiting in the room when he got there.


Joy

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

I love love love these pictures!!!

We're planning to go to Disney this fall. We're HUGE Disney fans and I can't wait.

What a beautiful family you have.

carolinagirl said...

I loved these Disney photos!!! I know you all had SO much fun!!!

Paging Doctor Mommy said...

We're planning a Disney trip either this Fall/Winter or maybe next spring. So, I will be back to get lots of info and advice from you!

Unknown said...

That is just precious! I love all of those photos. I think maybe you have the date stamp on your camera reading backwards but I understood it to read that you were stating the day first, followed by the month of May (#5), then followed by the year, which is why it reads 12/05/2009 as it's the 12th day of May, 2009. You can reset this on your camera to read the other way as well; there are many options for how you personally prefer your date stamp to read, but it was no biggie for me because I understood it just fine. Wow, now I have the 'itch' to go to Animal Kingdom....do you have any suggestions on what you would or woulnd't recommend that you have learned from? That would be great if you could shed some light on your experience from this perspective too.

Love ya,
Sarah

Pat @ My Tattered Elegance said...

Thank you for stopping by. I also loved your blog. Haven't read it all, but enough to know I like you lady. You have a wonderful spirit that overflows with your children, grandchildren and friends. What a wonderful gift that it shows so much in your writings. God has really blessed you and your family.
He is so good to all of us!
Hope you have a super day and come back soon.
Smiles,
Pat